According to the lawyer, еhere is no doubt the Ukrainian prosecution authorities are under huge political pressure to secure convictions in relation to false criminal allegations

Viktor Yanukovych

KIEV, October 19. /TASS/. Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has lodged a claim with the European Court of Human Rights over regular human rights violations against him by Ukraine, says a report by the British law firm Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP, which represents Yanukovych’s interests.

"President Yanukovych has lodged a claim with the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds that Ukraine has repeatedly breached his human rights," the report says.

In his application, Yanukovych asks the court "to declare violations of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, including the right to a fair trial (Article 6), the right to an effective investigation of attempts made upon his life and the right to protection (Article 2), and the right not to be discriminated against because of his political status and opinions (Article 14).

"President Yanukovych has brought this action now because it is clear that the Ukrainian authorities are determined to bring prosecutions against him," said Joe Hage of Joseph Hage Aaronson LLP, President Yanukovych’s UK lawyer, who had issued the claim.

According to him, the Ukrainian authorities "have allowed unfair trials to proceed which infringe his basic human right to be present and to defend himself against allegations which President Yanukovych vigorously denies."

"There is no doubt the Ukrainian prosecution authorities are under huge political pressure to secure convictions in relation to false criminal allegations, including those constructed to provide a basis for the EU sanctions listing against President Yanukovych," he added.